🏈 Former Auburn TE Phillip Lutzenkirchen dies in accident

[PhillyGirl]

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/06/auburn_great_philip_lutzenkirc.html

Former Auburn star Philip Lutzenkirchen has died in a car accident Sunday morning, AL.com has confirmed. According to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, the accident occurred at 3:06 a.m. in Troup County outside of LaGrange, Ga.

"The vehicle was a 2006 Chevy Tahoe and the driver missed a stop sign at the intersection of those two roads, which is more or less a 'T-intersection,'" said Master Trooper B.N. Talley of the Georgia State Patrol. "They traveled through the intersection off into a churchyard. They were out of control for about 450 feet."

According to Talley, the vehicle then overturned and ejected three of the four passengers, including Lutzenkirchen, who was killed at the scene.

The 23-year-old from Marietta, Ga., was one of the most popular Auburn players in recent history. He ranks first in touchdowns by a tight end in school history with 14 from 2009 to 2012. Lutzenkirchen saw his collegiate career end after suffering a major hip injury against Ole Miss in 2012. He signed a free agent contract with the St. Louis in April 2013, but was released four months later due to the lingering injury that eventually required surgery.

After hanging up the cleats, Lutzenkirchen had been working at a wealth management company in Montgomery and volunteering with the football team at St. James School in Montgomery. St. James head coach Jimmy Perry confirmed the news of his death with AL.com. Several of Lutzenkirchen's coaches, teammates and fans have shared their condolences after hearing the news.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Very sad. He was a fantastic player and by all accounts and even better person (which was a high bar). Prayers to his family, including his sister Abby who plays soccer at Bama...

 

[BamaFan334]

Awful news to hear about anyone. Prayers go out to his family and friends.

 

[alabama mike]

Very sad news to hear, my thoughts and prayers to his family.

 

[bamaraider]

Terrible news for his family and friends, especially his parents and any siblings. R.I.P.

 

[bamatommy]

I liked Lutzkenkirchen because he seemed pretty cool. I give credit where credit is due, and he was a good guy in my book. R.I.P. Phillip Lutzenkirchen.

 

[Snake2]

He was a good kid. Sorry to here this has happened.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Just learning of this. Terrible, terrible news. Great family, all three kids are/were college athletes (Auburn, Bama and Winthrop). His mom is a wonderful surgical nurse at Kennestone Hospital who we just met two weeks ago and had a great conversation with before my wife's procedure. My heart just goes out to them, and the family of the baseball player killed as well - another Atlanta area native. What a waste for all of them.

The lone occupant wearing a seat belt was treated and released from the hospital. For the sake of these families, tell that to your families.

Take Care,

Tim

 

[doemasters]

so sad, prayers for his family

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

​

LAGRANGE, Ga. -- Former Auburn tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen, a fan favorite who played on the 2010 national championship team, has died in a one-car crash in Georgia, state police said. Authorities said Lutzenkirchen, 23, was ejected from a 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe when it overturned several times near LaGrange early Sunday morning. He was a passenger in the vehicle. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn called Lutzenkirchen "a great player and competitor" and "a great teammate and friend off the field.

ESPN's SEC Blog—Continue reading...

 

[planomateo]

Thoughts are with the Lutzenkirchen family (the Davis family, and Ian's family). Terrible news, 23 years old, Phillip way too young.

More details about the accident.

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2014/06/29/3177530/breaking-former-auburn-tight-end.html?sp=/99/164/

Lutzenkirchen’s fatal accident occurred in Troup County, just southeast of LaGrange, at approximately 3:06 a.m. Sunday, according to Master Trooper B.N. Talley of the Georgia State Patrol, who responded to the scene.

“It happened at the intersection of Upper Big Springs Road and Lower Big Springs Road,” Talley said. “The vehicle was a 2006 Chevy Tahoe and the driver missed a stop sign at the intersection of those two roads, which is more or less a ‘T-intersection.’ They traveled through the intersection off into a churchyard. They were out of control for about 450 feet.”

At that point, Talley said, the vehicle overturned, flipping several times and ejecting three of the four passengers.

“Philip was one of them,” Talley said,” and he was killed at the scene.”

The driver of the vehicle, Joseph Davis, was also killed. According to the official police report, blood was drawn from Davis “to determine if alcohol impairment was a contributing factor” in the accident.

Lutzenkirchen, who was seated behind Davis, was not wearing his seat belt. Talley said they “are still looking into” how fast the vehicle was traveling when it ran through the stop sign.

The other person killed in the wreck was Davis, 22, who went by his middle name, “Ian.” Davis, a catcher, tried out for the Georgia baseball team last fall during open tryouts. He did not make the team, however, getting cut when the Bulldogs had to set their final roster at the end of fall practice.

Nonetheless, his loss was felt by Georgia baseball coach Scott Stricklin.

"Heartbroken to hear that Ian Davis has passed away. Just a great kid that had so much ahead of him," Stricklin tweeted from his personal Twitter account. "Thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

The two other passengers in the vehicle — Elizabeth Ann Seaton Craig, 22, of Eatonton, Ga., and Christian Tanner Case, 20, of Dadeville, Ala. — were taken to the West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange. Case, sitting in the front passenger seat, was wearing his seat belt. He was treated and released from the medical center. No update was available on Craig's condition. She was sitting in the back seat and not wearing her seat belt when she was ejected from the vehicle.

 

[bamaraider]

Was a great player and an even better person. Very sad to hear for his family and friends. R.I.P

 

[MunchyOs]

There just are no words. RIP, Phillip. Gone WAY too soon.

 

[rick4bama]

Prayers go out to the family.

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Alabama soccer player Abby Lutzenkirchen, the younger sister of Philip, penned a letter to fans in remembrance of her big brother and appreciation of the outpouring of support from fans.

Continue reading...

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Several hundred mourners attended Philip Lutzenkirchen's public memorial service and candlelight vigil Wednesday night, nearly filling the bleachers on one side of his old high school stadium less than four days after the popular former Auburn player's death.

Continue reading...

 

[planomateo]

Gotta give Lutzenkirchen's dad some prop's, it can't be easy giving these speeches. What a tragedy...

 

[PhillyGirl]

Gotta give Lutzenkirchen's dad some prop's, it can't be easy giving these speeches. What a tragedy...

That segment was tough to watch. The sadness in their eyes was almost unbearable. Great to see that a sad event can potentially help other people.